The Suns released guard Dee Brown today, opening a roster spot that will have to be filled to be at the NBA minimum.

This move coincided with Miami's release of point guard Shaun Livingston, a player the Suns have been interested in acquiring based on his potential.

Brown had been signed to a non-guaranteed contract to leave the Suns the flexibility to pick up a player who was bought out or unexpectedly released. Brown's contract would have been guaranteed for the season on Jan. 10. Teams could begin signing players to 10-day contracts on Monday.

The Suns now have the option to wait until Jan. 19 to sign another player.

Livingston, the 2004 draft's No. 4 pick, is coming off a devastating February 2007 injury in which he dislocated his left knee and tore three ligaments in it. He had played four games this season for Miami, which cut him before his minimum contract was going to become guaranteed at the end of the week.